An Eighth Shot of Espresso: Coffee and Creativity on Mum's Third Shift

Be grateful  for what you have Count your blessings The sun's light in the sky the wind in your hair the food on your plate from the choicest steaks to the blandest porridge And the air that you breathe but just possessing the basics  doesn't mean  that you have  to settle  for a substandard  existence  and don't let  anyone convince  you otherwise.

Obfuscate  frustrate cover your tracks  everyone  has their  own opinion  give enough of the situation to gather interest reasonable doubt  no one is really sure  just what really happened  a narrative that makes just enough sense many theories  lots of rumors  but no truth at the end

Bison used  to range freely through the plains  migrating with  the seasons  living in harmony  with the people  of the land who moved with them from place to place only taking enough for survival to ensure the generations to come  until ones who  upset the balance  dominated life  with no regard  for consequences

Don't disturb  keep your  voice down!  It is not  a library  but look!  She is  absorbed  in a book! You claim to encourage higher education! So let her  finish her  reading!  

fresh faced  and innocent  they take you  under their wing  show you the ropes  how to behave what to say where to put  your hands when to look them in the eye and when to lower your gaze  how to survive  and outwit the ones  who want to see  you fail. the years pass and you see a newcomer and so you pay it forward and complete the cycle. 

a cloud over memories  she cannot remember  a life afflicted by fog  she knows this place holds some significance these faces should  be utterly familiar but it slips her mind. what did I do have I been here before  where am I  grasping with silent fingers an unraveled tapestry a stretched fabric  of a life punctured by holes.